Plastic oil drain plug in Ford engines.

[ZR]

Unless you've had the experience of trying to drain the pan without being splashed n burnt by hot oil, you really can't grasp how badly Ford completely and utterly failed at this design. If you change your own oil or take it in to be done, do everyone involved a solid and opt for one like this slick lil unit from UPR. On the surface it looks expensive but since the plastic plug should be tossed after each change, it won't take long for it to save you time and aggravation.


https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-6nwc8589wo/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/13505/18892/3025-02b__03387.1582900175.jpg?c=2

[ZR]

Immediate pm saying, hey man I take mine to the oil change place, what do I care if it's a pain in the ass for those guys.
Since anyone working on them know if the engines even warm (let alone smoking hot cause you just drove in) you can bet at least some guys say fawk it and never drain / change the oil at all. Saving his or her hands might be saving your own engine in the long run.

Just my humble opinion.

[Old Fart]

Cool. How thick is the oil pan? Won't this plug leave old oil in the pan?

Edit...just looked up the pan and the drain is horizontal. Old guy thinking all oil drains are vertical, lol.

[ZR]

Yes it will leave a hair behind but just like original, after draining to that point easily removed to get the last bit.

[ZR]

Ronin make a similar version(thanks for the link Stephen).

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0941/4306/products/Ronin_Factory_Ford_Plastic_Oil_Plug_Drain_Easy_Dra in_02_1800x1800.jpg?v=1569315139

[xeninworx]

More plastic parts yet the cars go up in price. Even the plastic drain plug has to be replaced over time as it wears out. On my Civic that I had for 13 years, I’ve never replaced the drain plug, just used new crush washers which cost pennies or free depending which guy I dealt with at the Honda dealership.

[CON VERT]

Must be getting old, I remember when magnetic drain plugs were a MOD ! LOL

[ZR]

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0941/4306/products/Ronin_Factory_Ford_Plastic_Oil_Plug_Drain_Easy_Dra in_04_1800x1800.jpg?v=1569315139

[bluetoy]

Changed the oil a couple of times on my 2018 F150. Seriously... why. The oil would come out like a 2" fire hose. Stupid Idea, bad design. I see why they had to go to a plastic plug. They had a plastic oil pan. They could have done a way better job. Here's an example of the bean counters winning over common sense. Having said that, They don't want you to change your own oil, they want you to bring it to them.

[ZR]

^ Exactly that.

[Scrape]

That is cool.

[mavrrrick]

I do oil changes for a buddy on his F150, he just ordered one of these. Thanks for posting, its a pain with the yellow ones.

[Stephen06GT]

When I was doing some research on these plugs I learned that one generation of oil pan had the plug facing the passenger side of the truck. One YouTuber said the first time he changed the oil with the side drain, the oil shot out past the side of his truck. Also every video I watched started with, get yourself a few sheets of cardboard, and some gloves because this is going to get messy.

[ZR]

Plan for me, have one before first oil change on the new car plus will leave it on the hoist overnight so oil is cold.

[mavrrrick]

I found a piece of sheet metal i bent into a V and put under drainplug, oil hits and runs to pan.

[ZR]

^ I can see that being a help.

[Scrape]

My BMW has a huge bolt and shoots straight down and splashes everywhere when I change the oil. I need a bucket!
I found a piece of sheet metal i bent into a V and put under drainplug, oil hits and runs to pan.

[Snaketamer]

I have owned a MityVac for years and use it on oil, diff fluid and tranny fluid. Works like a charm.

https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/74413658-f4c4-4a0a-aefc-d7c4db9883ea/svn/mityvac-fluid-extractors-mit7300-64_1000.jpg

[Scrape]

I have one too but the BMW and Mini doesn't have a dipstick for siphoning. Still works like a charm for everything else though.
I have owned a MityVac for years and use it on oil, diff fluid and tranny fluid. Works like a charm.

https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/74413658-f4c4-4a0a-aefc-d7c4db9883ea/svn/mityvac-fluid-extractors-mit7300-64_1000.jpg

[Frankie]

My parent's Toyota has the oil filter in the bottom of the pan.
Takes a special key tool with metal fingers to open it up - the filter and all the oil come out all at once. Crazy design

[ZR]

All this nonsense, IMHO designed to stop the Saturday afternoon oil change in your driveway.

[Snaketamer]

All this nonsense, IMHO designed to stop the Saturday afternoon oil change in your driveway.

Agreed...buy a $65,000 dollar truck and have to replace the drain plug...oh, and don't forget a dongle to eliminate the annoying Stop/Start feature.

[ZR]

I could not own a stop start featured vehicle, annoys the hell outta me.

[Scrape]

They are annoying as heck. Luckily the M2 stays disabled once you turn it off. The Tiguan has to be turned off every time I start it up. I plan on coding this shit out.
I could not own a stop start featured vehicle, annoys the hell outta me.

[CON VERT]

^^^ Caddy the same way, but it is so seem less that allot of time I forget about it !

[2DXTRM]

The newer mercedes engines have that stupid ass plastic drain plug. Oh Its about $13-14 retail for one of those.

[LX89]

I have an old Mastercraft lawnmower with a 4hp Tecumseh engine.
It has a plastic oil drain plug that never leaks a drop so far.
There is no gasket on it.

[FABMAN]

It seems like this was a change in the gen 3 coyote (18 MY+) cars and trucks. Hard to believe that with all the engineers on staff no one thought that this was a bad idea.

Way to give customers a sour after sale experience Ford...so ridiculous

[ZR]

^ Yes sir.

[LX89]

What about Ford making clutch quadrants out of plastic.
Another bad idea.